Piston Scholar Zoe Featured on Hot Wheels Local Legends

Zoe’s Path from Student to Role Model

Piston Scholars are a special kind of person. While their paths may vary, one thing is consistent: they are driven by a deep love for cars and a desire to contribute to car culture in meaningful ways. Whether they’re restoring classics, building race cars, or—like Zoe—creating space for others to learn and grow, their journey always leads back to the garage.

I recently sat down with Zoe to talk about her new project and how the Hot Wheels feature came together.

What is “Knowledge is Power”?

Zoe’s project, Knowledge is Power, is an automotive fundamentals course designed especially for women. It’s hands-on, welcoming, and rooted in her belief that understanding your own car is a form of independence and confidence.

She started offering classes in her local community and quickly saw interest grow. Participants learn how to change a tire, check fluids, and ask questions in an environment that’s free of judgment or gatekeeping.

“I felt empowered when I learned how to change my own oil in my car, so I want other women to feel that same sense of empowerment.”

Zoe credits her time as a Piston Scholar with giving her the technical foundation and confidence to start this work. With scholarship support, she completed her formal training in automotive history and began applying those skills not only to cars—but to community building.

Bringing the Mission to Life

The Hot Wheels feature came about after Zoe started sharing the workshop online and caught the attention of the Local Legends team. Her passion for education, paired with her authentic connection to the garage, made her a perfect fit.

Her episode highlights not just her technical skill, but her drive — and the way she’s translating her restoration background into something that welcomes more people into the car world.

“This all started with the Piston Foundation. They helped me make great connections to do so”

Watch the full interview with Zoe